Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-02-11
Provisions of the Interstate Comm cree Bill.


The interstate commerce bill was intro
duced by Senator Shelby VI. Cullom OF H.
linois. Its provisions apply to any COM
mon carrier engaged in the transporta-
ton of passengers wholly by railroad, or
partly by railroad and partly by water
when both are under common control or
management, through more than .one
state or territory. The provisions also
apply TO international trade with coun-
tries adjacent BY the term railroad. -
bridges and ferries operated by any rail-
road are included.
4 common carrier subject TO the provis-
ions of the act cannot charge, remand,
collect or receive, directly or indirectly,
from any person or persons, "A greater or
less compensation for n given service than
1t receives from any other person or per
sons for a contempOraneouS service Such
a carrier cannot make or give any undue
or unreasonable preference or advantage
to any particular person company, cor
poration or locality,or any particular des-
crlption Of traffic Every carrier shall af-
ford all reasonable and equal facilities for
the Interchange of traffic between differ
ent lines and systems.
A provision of the bill which railroads
regard as especially severe on them re-
lates TO long and short hauls. This makes
IL unlawful for any carrier 60 charge or
receive "A greater compensation in the
aggregate for the transportation
of passengers or Of like kinds of prop
erty for IA shorter than for longer Iii $
tance, providing the circumstances are
substantially similar ana the consignment
is over the same line and i'm the same di-
rection, the shorter being included within
the longer distance In special cases,
however, after investigation by the com
mission appointed under the provisions of
this act, a common carrier may charge less
for longer than shorter distance transport
alton. the commission prescribing the ex-
tent TO which the carrier may be relieved
from the general provision
The pooling of two or more carriers
whereby the net earnings are divided
among them, Is prohibited. In case such
an agreement is entered upon in violation
ton of the bill its continuance shall be
deemed separate otiense. Fares and
rates cannot be raised without ten DAYS
public notice. They may be reduced at
any time without previous public notice,
but notice shall be given simultaneous
with the reduction. The rules and regula-
tons and the schedules of rates fares and
charges must be posted within ninety days
in all stations of carriers subject TO the
provisions of the act for public inspection.
The bill prohibits Interference of any
carrier in the proper PRONUNCIATION Of
freight, and in case this provision is
violated, such carrier is liable for the
full amount 10 the persons sustaining the
damages caused by such delays, together
with reasonable attorney fees TO the plain
tiff. Persons damaged by the action OF
the common carriers may proceed for the
recovery Of their damages either in tho
courts of the United States or before the
commissioner; but not before both tribu-
nails. maximum fine OF 5000 is placed
on violation of the provisions of the act,
these violations being constituted penal
offenses.
The provisions of the bill are regulated
by board of commissioners. appointed
10y the president by and with the consent
OF the senate The commission consists Of
five persons whose terms of office shall 10
for six years, except for the first appoint
ments. which are 20 be for two three four,
five and six years. The headquarters Of
the commission are located al Washing
ton, but sessions may he held elsewhere.
The commissioners are each allowed sala-
ries of $500 per annum, and they NAV app
point $500 secretary. Other employees
may be engaged az the discretion Of the
commission. The sum OF $4,000 is appro-
priated for the purposes OF this act for the
fiscal year ending June 30. lsSS The pro-
visions relating 20 the appointment Of the
commission, are 10y virtue Of the last
section Of the bill, given immediate effect